BRUNELLO CUCINELLI

Launched in 1978 as a one-man operation, Brunello Cucinelli’s eponymous luxury fashion label has since grown into a bonafide empire, earning the Perugia-reared mogul the moniker “King of Cashmere.” Inspired by Bennetton’s vibrantly-hued wool sweaters, Cucinelli realized that there was a then-untapped segment of the market to capitalize on—and in a more luxe fabric, to boot. He began selling colorful cashmere pieces to women, making a name for himself stateside with sumptuously soft, half-zip versions.Slowly but surely, Cucinelli began expanding his sartorial repertoire, introducing full ready-to-wear looks in 2000. Since then, the label has become known for its impeccably crafted separates, typically streamlined in design, tailored close to the body and produced in muted hues. The result is an aesthetic that Cucinelli himself describes as “sportivo chic”—elegantly dressed-down and undeniably sophisticated.